A clinical trial has shown that an ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin known as semuloparin reduces incidences of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and all-cause death by 25% in orthopaedic surgery patients.

Three trials involving a total of 4,479 patients assessed once-daily preventative treatment with Sanofi-Aventis semuloparin compared to enoxaparin, a commonly used low-molecular-weight heparin.

The follow-up analysis of the studies further evaluated semuloparin as VTE preventative therapy in other areas including oncology.

Orthopaedic surgery patients face an increased risk of developing VTE, a dangerous blood clot that blocks veins. Patients with cancer also have a four to seven fold greater risk for VTE.